Water Play Structure Having Playing Equipment

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a water play structure comprising play facilities to enable water-play, which includes a first storage tank having the play facilities provided therein, the first storage tank configured to receive water, a second storage tank connected with the first storage tank via a passage, and a cleaning unit provided in the passage provided between the first storage tank and the second storage tank, to purify the water supplied to the first storage tank from the second storage tank.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relates to a water play structure, more particularly to, a water play structure having play facilities that enables secure water play by supplying water having a more satisfactory quality.

BACKGROUND

Generally, there are various play structures installed in playgrounds, parks and school grounds (hereinafter, “playgrounds”) where infants and children play around, to bring forth progress in children's physical strength and perceptive abilities.

For example, in a typical playground are provided various play structures such as swings, slides and seesaws.

Meanwhile, there have been under development play structures that can improve the children's physical strength and perceptive abilities variously by modifying such play structures mentioned above, with filling the children with curiosity. Especially, there have been developed and installed structures that can spray water therein or that are small water pools having play facilities installed therein to allow children to play more excitedly in summer.

However, such a conventional water play structure having play facilities installed therein has to be used over a long period of time once water is supplied thereto. The water play structure is usually used in the summer when the water temperature is high. Accordingly, bacteria and germs might proliferate in the water collected in the water play structure. The water itself might be getting dirty as each day goes by, only to cause sanitary problems.

To prevent those disadvantages, water can be frequently exchanged. Such frequent water exchange might require much water consumption and there might be an economical disadvantage.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

To solve the problems, there will be objects of the embodiments as follows.

An object of the invention is to provide a water play structure having play facilities installed therein that can move and purify water collected therein and also that can control the height of the water collected in a water tank provided therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water play structure having play facilities that can sterilize bacteria such as microorganisms in a purifying process for collected water and that can re-supply the water after improving the properties of the water such as controlling the size of minerals contained in the water.

Technical Solution

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the embodiments, a water play structure comprising play facilities, the water play structure includes a first storage tank having the play facilities provided therein, the first storage tank configured to receive water; a second storage tank connected with the first storage tank via a passage; and a cleaning unit provided in the passage provided between the first storage tank and the second storage tank, to purify the water supplied to the first storage tank from the second storage tank.

The cleaning unit may include a housing configured to define an exterior appearance, with both open ends; and corrugated boards installed in the housing in symmetry with each other with respect to a central horizontal line in parallel to a flow direction of the water.

The corrugated boards may have waves continuously formed along a longitudinal direction.

The corrugation formed in the corrugated board may be a sine-wave.

Cores may be provided in the symmetrical corrugated boards to collide with particles of flowing water.

Upper and lower portions of the core may be symmetrical with respect to the flowing direction of the water.

The core may have a spoiler-shaped cross sectional area and a surface of the core may be rough.

A metal used for forming the housing may be different from a metal used for forming the core, to form an electric field while water is flowing.

An electric field may be formed in the housing.

The core may be formed of an alloy of two or more precious metals to form an electric field.

Two or more second storage tanks connected with the first storage tank via the passage may be provided and the passage configured to connect the first storage tank and the second storage tank with each other may be an adjusting passage configured to adjust water levels of the two storage tanks to be identical to each other.

The passage configured to connect the first storage tank and the second storage tank with each other may be a supply passage configured to supply water to the first storage tank from the second storage tank, and a pump may be provided in the supply passage.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The water play structure having the play facilities according to the invention have following advantageous effects.

First of all, the play facilities may be provided in the play structure capable of receiving water according to the invention and another independent water tank may be provided. After that, the water play facilities may be connected with the water storage tank. Accordingly, the water may be circulating between the two storage tanks in rotation and the water is purified during the circulation. The water can be used economically, without being exchanged frequently.

Furthermore, as the water is supplied to the first storage tank having the play facilities 100 installed therein from the second storage tank as the water tank after purified in the cleaning unit, bacteria such as microorganisms can be removed and the sizes of the minerals contained in the water can be modified to be decreased enough to be beneficial to health simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a profile of a water play structure having play facilities provided therein according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a principle to supply water to the play facilities in the water play structure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a profile of a cleaning unit;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning unit, seen aside;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning unit; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification process of mineral particles passing through the cleaning unit.

BEST MODE

As follows, embodiments will be described in detail to be embodied by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain to, in reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference may now be made in detail to specific embodiments, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

First of all, a structure of a play structure having water play facilities according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings.

Out of the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a profile of a water play structure having play facilities provided therein according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water play structure 1 according to the embodiment includes play facilities 100 and a first storage tank 101 configured to receive water, having a pool shape.

In this instance, the play facilities 100 according to the embodiment includes a stairway 110, a slide 120, a ceiling part 140 and a large bucket 145 configured to rotate to pour water when receiving a predetermined amount of water. This is one of examples of play facilities according to the invention and various types of typical play facilities where children can play may be applicable.

The first storage tank 101 is formed in a shallow water pool where children can play. The play facilities 100 may be positioned to submerge a predetermined area thereof in the first storage tank 101.

Meanwhile, water spraying holes 130 and 145 are provided at preset positions of the play facilities 100 to arouse children's interest.

In this instance, the positions of the water spraying holes 130 and 145 are not limited to what is mentioned above and they may be different positions.

An auxiliary passage 260 and a pump 290 may be installed to spray water via the water spraying holes 130 and 145 and they will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a principle to supply water to the play facilities in the water play structure according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water play structure 1 having the play facilities 100 according to the embodiment of the invention may include a second storage tank 201 connected with the first storage tank 101 by passages 250 and 260.

The second storage tank 201 is employed to store water and the water stored in the second storage tank 201 may be supplied to the first storage tank 101 via the passages 250 and 260.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passage for connecting the first and second storage tanks 101 and 201 with each other may include an adjusting passage 250 configured to adjust the height of the water. A closable valve 251 may be provided in the adjusting passage 250 to open and close the adjusting passage 250.

In addition, in the passage provided in the water play structure according to the embodiment may be further provided a supply passage 260 configured to supply the water of the second storage tank 201 to the first storage tank 101 or the water spraying holes 130 and 145 of the play facilities 100.

In other words, the supply passage 260 may be installed to directly supply the water even to the first storage tank 101 and to enable the water sprayed via the water spraying holes 130 and 145 of the play facilities 100.

For that, an auxiliary passage 130 may be further provided in the play facilities 100 to connect the supply passage 260 with the water spraying holes 130 and 145.

A pump 290 may be further provided to supply water to the play facilities 100 with a high pressure.

Meanwhile, the first storage tank 101 and the second storage tank 201 includes water supply pipes 203 and 205 and water drainage pipes 207 and 208, respectively, to supply water independently.

A cleaning unit 200 configured to filter microorganisms while supplying the water to the first storage tank from the second storage tank 201 and to purify water may be provided in the supply passage 260 configured to connect the first storage 101 and the second storage tank 201 with each other.

The cleaning unit will be described in detail as follows.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a profile of a cleaning unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning unit, seen from an entrance part and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cleaning unit.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cleaning unit 200 include a housing 210 configured to define an exterior appearance thereof. The housing 210 includes an entrance part 200 i to draw water therein and an exhaustion part 200 o to exhaust water.

The housing 210 may further include corrugated-boards 212 installed in the housing 210, in symmetry with each other with respect to a horizontal line in parallel to a direction of the water flowing.

In this instance, a central plate 211 is installed in the housing 210, passing an upward and downward direction of the housing 210. The corrugated-boards 212 may be installed on both sides of the central plate 211.

Two or more corrugated boards 212 are layered, corresponding to each other.

Meanwhile, the corrugation formed by the corrugated-boards 212 is wave-shaped, in other words, in a shape of repeated waves. It is preferable that the corrugation is a sine waveform. A core 218 may be provided in each long wavelength portion of the symmetrical corrugated boards 212 to collide with flowing water particles.

The core 218 may have a spoiler cross sectional shape and a surface of the core 218 may be rough. The cores 218 may be installed in the central plate 211.

In this instance, the term of “rough” means micro projections such as sandpaper.

An electric field may be provided in the housing 210 to prevent bacteria from breeding. Specifically, metal used for forming the housing 210 may be different from metal used for forming the core 218. The core 218 may be formed of alloy of at least two precious metals and the core 218 itself may form an electric field.

At this time, the electric field formed in the housing 210 and the core 218 may be weak enough to break a cell layer of the bacteria contained in the water.

An operation of the water play structure having the play facilities having the structure mentioned above will be described as follows.

First of all, when the second storage tank 201 is filled with water, the closable valve 231 is controlled to open the adjusting passage 250. The water is then flowing to the first storage tank 101 from the second storage tank 201 until water levels of the storage tanks are identical.

In this instance, additional water may be supplied to each of the storage tanks via the water supply pipe 205 provided in the second storage tank 210 and the water supply pipe 203 provided in the first storage tank 101.

When the water is supplied until the heights of the first storage tank 101 and the second storage tank 201 reach a predetermined value, the water supply part 203 and 205 is closed for no more water supply.

Hence, the water stored in the second storage tank 201 is supplied to the first storage tank 101 by the supply passage 260 and the pump 290.

Even in this instance, the water levels of the second storage tank 201 and the first storage tank 101 have to be identical to each other. Accordingly, the water is flowing to the second storage tank 201 again via the adjusting passage 250 as much as the water drawn into the first storage tank 101 from the second storage tank 201.

In other words, the water is continuously circulating between the first storage tank 101 and the second storage tank 201.

Meanwhile, the cleaning unit 200 is provided in the supply passage 250 configured to supply the water to the first storage tank 101. Accordingly, bacteria such as microorganisms contained in the water may be destroyed while the water is passing the cleaning unit 200 and the sizes of the minerals contained in the water are decreased, to enable the water to have a property that is more advantageous to health.

The operational principle of the cleaning unit 200 will be described in detail as follows.

First of all, when water is drawn into the entrance part 200 i of the cleaning unit 200, water is flowing along the corrugated boards 212 provided in the cleaning unit 200.

In this instance, the corrugated boards 212 are configured of sine waves. An area of water flow is continuously changing according to change of corrugation heights formed by the corrugated boards.

As the water flow area is changing, flux change is generated by Venturi effect. Turbulence is also generated in the particles of the water flowing closely along the corrugated boards 212 and an effect of substantially faster flux can be gained.

The particles of the water flowing faster collide with the cores 218 provided between the corrugated boards 212 again, to flow passing the rough surfaces of the cores 218. The minerals contained in the water are ground in this flowing process. Accordingly, a physical effect of decreased-sized minerals can be generated.

In other words, as time passes, the minerals contained in the first storage tank 101 and the second storage tank 201 will be united or precipitated, to have large sizes. As mentioned above, the sizes of the minerals can be decreased while the water is passing the cleaning unit 200.

The minerals having the decreased sizes by such the operation may have the property that is advantageous to be absorbed to human bodies.

Also, a weak electric field generated between different metals may be generated between the housing 210 and the cores 218. This weak electric field may prevent separation and destruction of a cover-lay structure of bacteria such as microorganisms contained in the water.

Especially, when the cores 218 are formed of the alloy of different two or more precious metals, the cores 218 may have an electric field and this electric field separates or destroys the cover-lay structure of the microorganisms contained in the water particles contacting with the cores 218.

As mentioned above, according to the embodiment of the invention, bacteria such as microorganisms may be filtered while water is passing the cleaning unit 200 provided in the play structure, without using additional chemicals. Also, the minerals contained in the water can be modified to be beneficent sized minerals that can be absorbed to human bodies easily and smoothly.

In addition, the play structure according to the invention may include a purifying filter 220 provided in the supply passage 260 to remove other foreign substances when the water is circulating between the first storage tank 101 and the second storage tank 202.

As mentioned above, the play facilities 100 may be provided in the play structure 100 according to the invention and the second storage tank 202 as independent water tank from the water play structure may be provided. After that, the first storage tank 101 having the water play facilities installed therein may be connected with the second storage tank 202. Accordingly, the water may be circulating between the two storage tanks in rotation, to automatically adjust the water levels.

In such the circulation, the purification may be performed to the water automatically and the water can be used economically, without being exchanged frequently.

In addition, while the water is supplied to the first storage tank 101 provided in the play facilities 100 from the second storage tank 201 as the water tank, bacteria such as microorganisms can be removed via the cleaning unit 200 and the sizes of the minerals contained in the water can be modified to be decreased enough to be beneficial to health simultaneously.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, although not shown in the drawings, two or more second storage tanks connected with the first storage tank via the passage. 

1. A water play structure comprising play facilities, the water play structure comprising: a first storage tank having the play facilities provided therein, the first storage tank configured to receive water; a second storage tank connected with the first storage tank via a passage; and a cleaning unit provided in the passage provided between the first storage tank and the second storage tank, to purify the water supplied to the first storage tank from the second storage tank.
 2. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises, a housing configured to define an exterior appearance, with both open ends; and corrugated boards installed in the housing in symmetry with each other with respect to a central horizontal line in parallel to a flow direction of the water.
 3. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 2, wherein the corrugated boards have waves continuously formed along a longitudinal direction.
 4. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 2, wherein the corrugation formed in the corrugated board is a sine-wave.
 5. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 2, wherein cores are provided in the symmetrical corrugated boards to collide with particles of flowing water.
 6. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 5, wherein upper and lower portions of the core are symmetrical with respect to the flowing direction of the water.
 7. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 6, wherein the core has a spoiler-shaped cross sectional area.
 8. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 5, wherein a surface of the core is rough.
 9. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 5, wherein a metal used for forming the housing is different from a metal used for forming the core, to form an electric field while water is flowing.
 10. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 5, wherein an electric field is formed in the housing.
 11. The washing water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 5, wherein the core is formed of an alloy of two or more precious metals to form an electric field.
 12. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 1, wherein two or more second storage tanks connected with the first storage tank via the passage are provided.
 13. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 1, wherein the passage configured to connect the first storage tank and the second storage tank with each other is an adjusting passage configured to adjust water levels of the two storage tanks to be identical to each other.
 14. The water play structure comprising the play facilities according to claim 1, wherein the passage configured to connect the first storage tank and the second storage tank with each other is a supply passage configured to supply water to the first storage tank from the second storage tank, and a pump is provided in the supply passage. 